Chinese Fibroid Treatment

If you’re suffering from fibroids, you may have wondered if Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has any treatments on offer. There is a belief among Chinese doctors that fibroids ranging in size from small to as large as a goose egg will respond well to herbs. This treatment can help shrink the fibroids so that they are less uncomfortable. In some cases, say TCM practitioners, the fibroids may even be eliminated through this treatment.

If the fibroids are larger, Chinese physicians will perform surgery but may first treat with herbs to reduce the risk for surgical complications.

Goose Egg

While a gynecologist will measure a fibroid in centimeters, the TCM practitioner will compare fibroids to objects to gain an understanding of their size. For instance, the “goose egg” is around 6.5 cm while “fist-sized” is 10 cm. Women who have never borne children and who are said to have a “grapefruit sized” fibroid, will not be treated by administering herbs for the sake of shrinking or reducing the size of such a fibroid. It is believed that such treatment will only burden the patient at that point, rather than benefit her.

The TCM approach lists the following three ways in which fibroids may present: Yin Deficiency Fire, Liver Qi Stagnation with Qi Deficiency, or Qi and Blood Stagnation. These three presentations are dependent on the signs and symptoms of the individual and each presentation demands its own treatment approach.

Yin Deficiency Fire is seen in women who have exhausted their feminine energy (Yin) with age. Sometime yin deficiency is a response to chronic illness. When this is the case, the physician will devise a formula that would leech away the fire while giving support to yin. One of the herbs that would be included in this treatment is American ginseng.

Restore Vigor

Qi Stagnation is the common result of emotional distress. Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis can occur as a result of trauma incurred during major surgery, after serious injury, or following a difficult birth. When Qi and blood are immobilized, the results are pain, body aches, and the growth of masses. The TCM doctor’s job here is to restore vigor to and tone Qi and blood. One of the herbs used for this condition is Dong Quai.

The third presentation in the way fibroids present is Spleen Qi Deficiency with Liver Qi Stagnation. The result of this presentation may be irritability and digestive problems. A typical formula for this condition would include hawthorn fruits.